Jetboil Helio stove for backpacking or car camping

Friday

May 27, 2011 at 2:00 AM

Jetboil's Helios is an efficient, high-capacity system for outdoor cooking. It lights quickly and reliably with the click of a button and heats consistently using an inverted butane canister injection system.

By Pete Zimowsky

Jetboil's Helios is an efficient, high-capacity system for outdoor cooking. It lights quickly and reliably with the click of a button and heats consistently using an inverted butane canister injection system.

It looks great for backpacking, car camping and even for tailgating, and the lid and bottom covers double as plates.

Price: $149.95. See it at backpacking and camping outlets.

I have the regular Jetboil and it has served me well for 6 years. It has been down the Grande Ronde River in Oregon, out in the outback of Oregon's Malheur desert, on top of Idaho's highest peaks, deep in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, and sea kayaking in the San Juans. I use it on day trips to brew tea or soup and on backpack trips.

It is also my emergency stove on multiday river trips, even though we have a larger camp stove. It goes with us on cross-country ski trips for a hot lunch. It is a permanent fixture in my daypack.

I love my regular Jetboil, but this system would be an upgrade if my old stove gives out. But, that old Jetboil doesn't seem like it will ever give out. Get more information at www.jetboil.com.